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IMDbPro

eXistenZ

  • 19991999
  • RR
  • 1h 37m
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
100K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,243
441
Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
Trailer for eXistenZ
Play trailer2:01
1 Video
99+ Photos
  • Horror
  • Mystery
  • Sci-Fi
A game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.A game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.A game designer on the run from assassins must play her latest virtual reality creation with a marketing trainee to determine if the game has been damaged.
IMDb RATING
6.8/10
100K
YOUR RATING
POPULARITY
2,243
441
  • Director
    • David Cronenberg
  • Writer
    • David Cronenberg
  • Stars
    • Jude Law
    • Jennifer Jason Leigh
    • Ian Holm
Top credits
  • Director
    • David Cronenberg
  • Writer
    • David Cronenberg
  • Stars
    • Jude Law
    • Jennifer Jason Leigh
    • Ian Holm
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 575User reviews
    • 188Critic reviews
    • 68Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 14 nominations

    Videos1

    eXistenZ
    Trailer 2:01
    eXistenZ

    Photos140

    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law and Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jennifer Jason Leigh in eXistenZ (1999)
    Jude Law in eXistenZ (1999)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Jude Law
    Jude Law
    • Ted Pikulas Ted Pikul
    Jennifer Jason Leigh
    Jennifer Jason Leigh
    • Allegra Gelleras Allegra Geller
    Ian Holm
    Ian Holm
    • Kiri Vinokuras Kiri Vinokur
    Willem Dafoe
    Willem Dafoe
    • Gasas Gas
    Don McKellar
    Don McKellar
    • Yevgeny Nourishas Yevgeny Nourish
    Callum Keith Rennie
    Callum Keith Rennie
    • Hugo Carlawas Hugo Carlaw
    Christopher Eccleston
    Christopher Eccleston
    • Seminar Leaderas Seminar Leader
    Sarah Polley
    Sarah Polley
    • Merleas Merle
    Robert A. Silverman
    Robert A. Silverman
    • D'Arcy Naderas D'Arcy Nader
    Oscar Hsu
    Oscar Hsu
    • Chinese Waiteras Chinese Waiter
    Kris Lemche
    Kris Lemche
    • Noel Dichteras Noel Dichter
    Vik Sahay
    Vik Sahay
    • Male Assistantas Male Assistant
    Kirsten Johnson
    Kirsten Johnson
    • Female Assistantas Female Assistant
    James Kirchner
    • Landryas Landry
    Balázs Koós
    • Male Volunteeras Male Volunteer
    Stephanie Belding
    Stephanie Belding
    • Female Volunteeras Female Volunteer
    Gerry Quigley
    • Trout Farm Workeras Trout Farm Worker
    • Director
      • David Cronenberg
    • Writer
      • David Cronenberg
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Jennifer Jason Leigh had already finished shooting her role in Eyes Wide Shut (1999) when she took on this role. When her scenes in that movie required re-shooting, the schedule required for it interfered with this one. Leigh chose to stay on this movie, and her role in Eyes Wide Shut (1999) was re-cast.
    • Goofs
      The first time we see Ted Pikul at the trout farm, he labels an envelope with the letters LA. The L is clearly connected to the A. However in the next shot with the envelope on the conveyor belt the L and A are no longer connected.
    • Quotes

      [last lines]

      Chinese Waiter: Hey, tell me the truth... are we still in the game?

    • Connections
      Edited into The History of the Hands (2016)

    User reviews575

    Review
    Top review
    "Death to the demon The Matrix!"
    'eXistenZ' sorts out the men from the boys. That is, your reaction to this marvellous movie will depend whether you are S.F. literate and familiar with Cronenberg's oeuvre, or a 'Matrix'-loving, Johnny-come-lately. Now I enjoy 'The Matrix' as a superior action movie, but no movie in recent years has been so overrated, and grossly exaggerated as intellectual fare! 'eXistenZ' and Alex Proyas' similarly overlooked 'Dark City' are everything 'The Matrix' claims to be - intelligent, thought provoking, CHALLENGING S.F.

    This movie is almost a summary of all the themes and motifs that Cronenberg has been obsessed about for the last 25 years or so. Especially the Burroughsian "biological horror" and the Phildickian questioning of reality. While it echoes many of his previous movies, it especially evokes his masterpiece 'Videodrome'. It may not reach the hallucinogenic heights of that movie - very few have - but it certainly takes you to places most contemporary S.F. and horror movies don't even try to reach.

    However this movie isn't just Cronenberg rehashing his "greatest hits". There are more than enough new and interesting touches, especially the Rushdie-like Fatwah theme, the odd sexual symbolism, and the witty touches such as the bone guns that fire teeth. Helping all this along is the interesting, carefully chosen cast. All are good, but I especially like Willem Dafoe's creepy garage mechanic, and it was also great to see Canadian cult star Don McKellar ('Highway 61', 'Twitch City',etc) as the enigmatic "Russian" Yevgeny.

    'Videodrome' has taken many years to find its real audience, and maybe 'eXistenz' will too. But I believe eventually it will be recognised for what it is - a work of great imagination and flair.
    helpful•186
    94
    • Infofreak
    • Jul 14, 2001

    FAQ1

    • Why have I never even heard of this film, much less seen it until today - March 21 2021?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 23, 1999 (United States)
    • Countries of origin
      • Canada
      • United Kingdom
      • France
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Existenz
    • Filming locations
      • Rockwood Conservation Area, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • Dimension Films
      • Alliance Atlantis Communications
      • Canadian Television Fund
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $15,000,000 (estimated)
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $2,856,712
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $810,262
      • Apr 25, 1999
    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,856,712
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 37 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

    Related news

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